Jump Rope for Heart--Week 2!

 Jump Rope for Heart UPDATE!!

Greetings Parents and Students!!

          The second week of donation collection for Jump Rope for Heart is coming to a close. So far our online donation site has collected a total of $415.00 in donations!! That means we have raised 55% of our total school goal online! We hope each of you is working hard and visiting with your family and friends about Jump Rope for heart and heart health. Please keep working hard on collecting donations.

          This coming week, April 30 to May 4, is the last week to collect donations. Please return your Jump Rope for Heart envelope with your donation collections to your homeroom teacher no later than May 4^th. The jump rope event will be held in the afternoon on May 4^th.

          Again we would like to thank you for your participation in this event! We know this is a valuable cause and service learning project and it would not work without your support.  If you have questions or would like to volunteer in the afternoon on May 4^th, 2012 please contact us at rhull@strideacademy.org  or ahelmbrecht@strideacademy.org or feel free to call the school at 320-230-5340.

Thank you so much for your support!!!

Lastly, if you would like to sign your students up to collect donations online, please visit the link:

http://honor.americanheart.org/site/TR/JumpforHeart/MWAMidwestAffiliate?team_id=238853&pg=team&fr_id=1684

It's Field Trip Time!!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are very excited to announce that we will be going to St. Johns Arboretum for the second field trip of the year.  This visit will be a unique hands-on environment experience in a 2,500 acre natural arboretum where the class will learn about insects and the life of plants. 

It is important that students wear comfortable shoes, dress warm--layers can always be removed, and notify either Ms. Hull or Ms. Helmbrecht of any health conditions/concerns (bee stings, allergies, asthma etc)

We will have a two hour insect lesson in the morning, break for lunch, then complete the plants lesson in the afternoon. As for lunch, students may bring a bag lunch or the school can provide a bag lunch for the price of a hot lunch. 

All chaperons are welcome!! If you have a current background check on file, please join us at STRIDE Elementary by 8:40 a.m. for this event!

STRIDE's Got Talent!

STRIDE’s Got Talent

We will be having our first annual talent recital on June 8th. Student acts may include: singing, dancing, instrumental, skits or other appropriate acts. This is not a contest but a recital. 

When: The show will be Friday, June 8^th from 9-9:45 a.m. 

We only have time for 10 acts so well have auditions for these slots on May 7^th and 8^th at 7:30 a.m. and then again after school starting at 3:05 p.m. Please sign up for an audition time by April 27^th. 

Who: All students in k-5 are invited to audition.

Misc:

- Judges will be a parent and STRIDE staff.

- We may have call backs for some acts if needed.

- There will also be a staff act!



Jump Rope for Heart

Jump Rope for Heart UPDATE!!

The second graders hope that you have had a fantastic first week of donation collecting for our service project, Jump Rope for Heart. We are busy planning our jump rope event, held on May 4^th, 2012, and are very excited, and grateful, for your hard work in helping us raise money for the America Heart Association. We know this event will provide each of you a memorable and rewarding experience while learning about the dangers of heart disease and stroke. 

We have set a school goal of $750 and every student will receive a Water Bottle if we hit the goal!

When this event is over, the benefits will be overwhelming.

        Students will have benefited from sustained activity on the day of the event and in preparation for the Jump Rope for Heart Event.

        Students will have learned a lifetime sport that can be used to improve fitness and coordination as an individual or with friends.

        Students will have participated with classmates to reach a common goal.

        Students will have learned about heart disease and stroke.

        Students will have contributed to the fight against cardiovascular disease and stroke, by being an active participant in this program.

Thank you for your participation in this event.  We think this is a valuable cause and service learning project and it would not work without your support.  If you have questions or would like to volunteer in the afternoon on May 4^th, 2012 (the day of the event), please contact us at rhull@strideacademy.org  or ahelmbrecht@strideacademy.org or feel free to call the school at 320-230-5340.

Thank you so much for your support!!!

Your child can even raise funds on-line!  Step by step instructions about our simple on-line donation program were provided on the back flap of the collection envelope. You can also visit the website listed below for easy to follow registration.

http://honor.americanheart.org/site/TR/JumpforHeart/MWAMidwestAffiliate?team_id=238853&pg=team&fr_id=1684  

UPDATE!!!

       We’ve been working hard in second grade and learning exciting things! In conjunction with the welcomed change in the weather we are changing units in science, social studies and Core Knowledge.
       During the remaining four months of school the second graders will learn about insects, weather, the water cycle and the seasons in science as well as the American westward expansion, the Civil War, civil rights and immigration in social studies.
      Entering the unit on Tall Tales, Ms. Helmbrecht and Ms. Hull’s favorite unit in Core Knowledge, students will listen to stories, read poems and learn the historical significance of various Tall Tales like Casey Jones, Pecos Bill, John Henry and others.

      Lastly, the second grade students will learn how to write narrative and descriptive pieces during writing class. Both narrative and descriptive writings allow students to be creative and have fun with their work. Please encourage your child to share their writings with you.

       We’ve had a fantastic year and are charging strong towards the finish line!  Please check the Second Grade Blog, linked on the STRIDE website, for important updates, volunteer opportunities and happenings each week.

Cheers,

Ms. Helmbrecht and Ms. Hull

Skatin' Place!

Families and Friends:

Come join the STRIDE Academy staff, volunteers and students for an evening of laughter, fun and fitness!

WHAT: Skatin' Place Social  

WHEN: February 23rd, 2012

TIME: 6-8 p.m.

COST: $5.00 per person plus additional costs for extras.

We hope to see you there!



January LEADERS!!

A heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS to

Emily

and

Mia

for being nominated as January's LEADERS of the month. January focused on doing your best; and these two ladies are great examples of what it means to give 100% at all times. Keep up the fantastic work!

Check back next month to see which second grade students are nominated for embracing citizenship.

February Birthdays!

We would like to wish a very warm HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the following second grade students:

Jacob--February 5

Jacob--February 13

Brielle--February 18

Emily--February 20

We hope you had a fabulous birthday and that this year is the best yet!

Quarter 3 Mid-quarter Reports

Dear Parents,

Dear Parents and Guardians,

 It is hard to believe that the third quarter is half over! Mid quarter grades are being sent home this week in your child's Thursday Folder. Please look over your child's grades and discuss his or her performance in each class with your child.  After you have done so, please fill out, sign, and return the parent confirmation sheet that is attached to the grade print out. This needs to be returned to school as soon as possible. If there are any concerns please contact your child's teacher.

**Also, if you have not already done so, please contact your child's teacher(s) to set up a spring confernece time for April 5th, 2012 **

Thank you for your continued support!

~Ms.  Hull and Mrs. Helmbrecht

STRIDE Academy Family FUN Night!

Greetings Families!

An update on STRIDE Academy's annual Family Fun Night:

WHEN: March 23rd, 2012

TIME: 5-7:30pm

WHERE: STRIDE Middle School

WHAT: Concessions, games, garage sale, school tours for 4^th and 5^th graders, and a great load of fun with your school family!

We hope to see you there!

Winter Intersession

Greetings!

Winter intersession is fast approaching! Intersession activities are offered during the first week, February 27th through March 2nd. The second week of intersession, March 5th through March 9th STRIDE Academy is closed.

If you and your child are interested in any of the intersession activities please see the class description handout that was sent home last week with your child. Deadline for enrolling in any of the classes is February 22nd.

Enjoy your two week break!

Cheers,
Ms. Helmbrecht and Ms. Hull

Sience and Social Studies Update

Beginning on January 26th your child will be entering a new unit in both social studies and science. As in the past, your child will have three weeks of either science or social studies followed by three weeks of the other subject.

This unit in science will focus on magnets. We will be learning what attracts and does not attract to magnets, the magnetic poles, the law of magnetic attraction and how magnets can go through material. We will also be learning how to make a floating compass and how to use a compass in a treasure hunt!

During this unit in social studies students will be learning the geography of the Americas.  Students will learn key components of maps as well as how to use one. Students will also be familiarized with the geographical attributes of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, South America, the Andes and the southern cone.

We are excited for these new units and look forward to sharing the information with your child!

Report Cards

Greetings parents,

Your child's second quarter report card was sent home in last week's Thursday folder. Included with the report card was a parent signature page. Once you've gone over all your child's grades and comments please sign this page and return it to school. If you have any questions regarding your child's progress and performance please contact your child's teacher.

Cheers,

Ms. Helmbrecht and Ms. Hull

Birthdays!!

We've got a lot of winter birthdays!

We'd like to wish....

Meleena--November 4th

Rachel L.--November 11th

Kai--November 14th

Caroline--November 21st

Joseph--November 23rd

Lilah--November 24th

Zeke--November 28th

Garrett--December 10th

Ms. Hull--December 10th

Ethan--December 29th

Tuesday--January 3rd

A very happy birthday! We hope your special day was as special as you are!



Leaders of the Month

A positive congratulations to

Blake

and

Summer

These wonderful students are our second grade Leaders of the Month for November and December. December and November were grouped together because of holiday breaks. These two months focused on having a positive attitude. Our leaders of the month always try their best, come to school ready and excited to learn, and take pride in themselves and their work.

Congratulations, we are VERY proud of you--keep up the awesome work!

-Mrs. Helmbrecht and Ms. Hull

Winter NWEA Testing

Dear Parents,


It is that time again! The second grade students will be partaking in NWEA testing. These tests help educators pinpoint each child's individual ability level in math, reading and language arts.  We have decided to have the students take these tests three times this year so that we are better able to monitor student growth.


The goals that were set after the first round of NWEA testing (this fall) have given us a starting point for each student. When they complete the tests next week we will receive new scores that will tell us if they have made adequate growth.

Our students are taking the NWEA tests during the afternoon on January 17th, January 19th, and January 23rd.


We know all the students will do great! As parents, please encourage your child and remind him or her to do their best on these tests! Please contact STRIDE with any questions or concerns regarding these tests. 


Best Wishes,


Mrs. Helmbrecht and Ms. Hull